Whether they’re filming a vacation vlog or recording a podcast in their home studio, content creators are always exploring the world in new, creative ways. This gift guide is a road map for supporting them along their journey—it’s a love letter, of sorts, for the content creators in your life. From cameras to tripods, these techy tools are excellent gifts for helping to bring creative ideas to life.
Keep reading to find the best gifts for content creators of all types, and at any price point.
The best cameras for video creators and vloggers
Video is the major focus for content creation. It’s the medium that gets the most eyes on both small and large creators. More than that, it’s the backbone of most creator-based media. There are plenty of video supplies at every price point to help enrich your loved ones’ creation process, so find out what level of content creation your loved one is at and tailor your gift as your budget allows.
Best mirrorless camera for content creators: Sony Alpha ZV-E10 (APS-C Mirrorless Camera)
As a content creator who occasionally shoots on location, I love the compact design of a mirrorless camera. Going mirrorless is, in my opinion, the single best way to ensure that you’re capturing high-quality, high-resolution video with the smallest, most portable camera possible. I’ve used my Sony Alpha mirrorless camera to create vlog- and influencer-style videos for 10+ years (you can see content that’s been captured on my Sony Alpha here), and I’ve never had a single problem with it. Both the content quality and physical camera build have held up over time!
Best full-frame mirrorless camera for video creators: Sony Alpha ZV-E1 (Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera)
If you’re looking for YouTuber gift ideas and you have a big budget to flex, I recommend opting for a full-frame mirrorless camera. These cameras feel very similar to APS-C camera bodies when you use them, but they deliver a professional-grade result. They’re the cream of the crop for quality and resolution, and a great choice if you don’t want to make any sacrifices for your vlogging camera.
My professional camera is also a Sony Alpha, and I have no regrets! It’s a great camera system that’s easy to use and produces fantastic results.
Best creator camera: DJI Osmo Pocket 3
Creator cameras are a newer category of products, and they’re a great choice for vloggers and streamers. Compact, high-quality, and easy to stabilize, they’re an easy option for filming action, live events, and day-in-the-life content. They feel natural to use, almost like recording on your smartphone—but with a higher quality result. I like the DJI Osmo line for recording on the go. It’s an industry favourite for both its high performance and its ease of use, and DJI products feel seamless to use.
Must-have photography and videography accessories
Cameras and lenses aren’t the only aspect of shooting great photos and videos. For the budding videographer in your life, consider filling out their kit with additional tools to help them capture and create stunning videos.
Best wireless lav mic: Rode Wireless Go II Dual Lavalier Microphone System
One of the most challenging parts of video recording is getting the audio just right. Audio is finicky, and it doesn’t travel well over distances. Rather than relying on an on-camera microphone, creators use tools like lav mics to level up their video content. They’re available at a very wide range of price points (starting at under $50) depending on the level of polish you’re looking for.
Lav mics, or lavalier microphones, are one of the big differences between videos that are captured by content creators and videos that are captured on a set. Unlike film sets, content creators usually work alone. Lav mics are an easy way to record higher-quality audio that doesn’t involve multiple extra crew members with boom mics.
The best gifts under $100 for content creators who stream and game
Streaming content is similar to video content, but many creators will use different tech to capture each. The standard setup for streaming is a high-quality streaming webcam, a fixed ring light, and a powerhouse of an internet connection.
Best streaming webcam with HD/4K quality: Logitech C920S Pro
For new streamers working on building up a viewer base, a high-quality, 1080p streaming webcam is one of the best gifts for streamers. You’ll capture crisp lines and steady motion with a compact webcam that clips onto any monitor. I’ve used Logitech webcams since the MSN Messenger days (I’m wildly ageing myself with that sentence), but I’ve stuck with the brand for good reason. They make high-performing, reliable webcams that are always a killer deal for the price.
Best streaming webcam with a built-in ring light: Razer Kiyo
Looking for a two-in-one solution? A streaming webcam with a ring light built in is a great option for an easy streaming experience. You’ll sacrifice some image quality for the convenience, but it’s a very convenient sacrifice to make. These two-in-one solutions are a great choice for streamers who are just trying out the medium for fun. They’re also a great option for people who may not have the space or budget for a bigger setup. (I always recommend them for teens and young adults who game and stream from their bedrooms!)
Gifts for podcasters and voice creators
Crystal clear audio is a boon for podcasters, video creators, and other voice creators. While there’s currently an explosion in the popularity of podcasts and podcasting equipment, there are a lot of other fun avenues to explore with a microphone, too.
Podcasting is an industry where it’s important to stick to a posting schedule, especially when you’re growing your initial listener base.
Best podcast microphone: Blue Microphones Yeti
A crisp, clear podcasting microphone is an awesome tool for audio creators of all kinds. The Blue Yeti Microphone is an industry staple for high-quality, entry-level recording. It’s enormously popular for podcasting, but I’ve seen it used in a lot of other interesting ways, too: Recording music, self-publishing audiobooks, and more. My sister has one that she uses exclusively for recording public domain books on a volunteer basis, which I’ve always thought was such a cool avenue of creation!
Must-haves for digital artists and designers
Editing, drawing, and other types of digital art are so much easier when you can swap tools. It’s unbelievably handy to have a variety of content creation accessories at your fingertips. I speak from experience when I say that having a variety of controllers can make a world of difference! Tablets, styluses, and drawing pads are great for everything from digital painting to editing video clips with precision.
Best drawing tablet under $100: Wacom Intuos 6″
I’ve tried drawing tablets of all sizes, price points, and capabilities. The one I come back to again and again is this basic, cheap, reliable Wacom Intuos. The Intuos is a super simple line of drawing tablets, but they’re adequately precise and (most importantly for my workflow) overwhelmingly portable. I love that Intuos pens don’t need to be charged and that the Intuos tablets are lighter than your standard paper notebook. In 15+ years of content creation, I’ve gone through only two—and my first one didn’t even break; it outlived three laptops, and then eventually became outdated.
Best drawing tablet with a display: Wacom Cintiq 22
Drawing tablets with a display are one of the best tech gifts for creators that you can buy—if you have the budget for it. They’re a significant investment, but they’re truly the top tier for digital creation. Responsive, tactile tablets with heavy-hitting processing power and superfine resolution are helpful for creators of all types of media, and they’ll give you the ultimate level of control over your video cutting, photo editing, digital drawing, VFX creation… Truly everything you could dream of creating.
Not sure which price point of drawing tablet to buy? Check out my Wacom One review, where I compare the capabilities of different Wacom models.
On a more personal note…
I love the idea of a social media creator gift as a holiday present because I was that social media creator. When all of the other teens in my year were going to summer camp and getting weekend jobs, I was in my bedroom churning out 3-5 posts a day. I was taking photographs, editing images, and refining my copy at every chance I got. Every bit of help I got from my family meant the world to me, and their support helped me create a career in digital content at a time when the field itself barely existed.
Helping your friend, family member, or partner explore their drive to create is one of the most innate human experiences available. Social media gets a lot of flack, but just like any other form of creation, it is what you make of it. You can create content that’s fun, or insightful, or meaningful—the important thing is that you just get out there and create.
No matter what kind of creator you’re shopping for, there’s a tech tool at Best Buy that’ll help them level up their content. From new cameras to portable drawing tablets, there’s something for every art form and at every price point.
Browse Best Buy’s Creator Gear and Holiday Gift Guide for even more gift inspiration.
